Well now they've got at least 3 hours to hit the local equivalent of the mall. What does a wealthy gal shop for on her first trip to mars? She prefers the Anysuit, so clothes are out (unless she wants to get some special looks that don't look embarassingly like a christmas tree ornament)...she's already got one of the best implants available...

You know, I don't know! Normally good SF like this kicks my mind and imagination into overdrive. But I'm drawing a complete blank. In an economy where everything necessary to life and pursuing happiness is inexpensive to free, what do you buy for fun? I'd be after old books for sure, but I'm like Seamus and his friends, a product of an older era. (sort of, roughly) What would attract Nichole or even Ventura? Heck, what's Ma-Bo been wasting jinke on?

I think I'll wander through a few stores this weekend and imagine what would still be in a store a century from now. For example, inkwells and sanders (sprinkle on paper to blot ink) are sure gone from normal stocks. In one hundred years where will paper and pens be sold, if anywhere?

You know, I don't know! Normally good SF like this kicks my mind and imagination into overdrive. But I'm drawing a complete blank. In an economy where everything necessary to life and pursuing happiness is inexpensive to free, what do you buy for fun? I'd be after old books for sure, but I'm like Seamus and his friends, a product of an older era. (sort of, roughly) What would attract Nichole or even Ventura? Heck, what's Ma-Bo been wasting jinke on?

I think I'll wander through a few stores this weekend and imagine what would still be in a store a century from now. For example, inkwells and sanders (sprinkle on paper to blot ink) are sure gone from normal stocks. In one hundred years where will paper and pens be sold, if anywhere?

If I call it research maybe I can con a grant somewhere.

Even with my compulsion to always want that hardbound copy sitting on a shelf, the e-readers have finally reached a point that is functionally equal and I will use them. Printed books will all become rare collector treasures in 500 years. I don't see you finding them in a retail mall.

Electronics, Robotics, Fashion, and Food Stalls, Trends will drive retail weekly instead of by the season. The Mall of the Future would likely look more like a Civic Centre hosting a major Consumer Trade Convention than the current concentration of retail stores.

You are right about e-readers. I bit the bullet about 2 years ago and have never looked back. At a future mall you might find "Smythe & Watson, Bookbinders" your favorite read turned into an instant classic.

DING! Got it. Service and craft never goes away. That's the ticket. Customizing your stuff. (Dare I say 'bling'? ) A lot of things like furniture and vehicles will be designed around a standard frame to allow a choice and even some freedom to depart from convention. Shiny baubles will still attract the eye and designs will vary as they always do.

I either do my best thinking after midnight or it just feels that way. Hand the keyboard to my hindbrain and say "you write something Kronk, I'm out of steam".

The adventure genre staple would be to upgrade existing gear. She might get a chameleon suite for her anysuit, a storage size upgrade for her fanny pack, a faster-charging higher-capacity zringer, customizing for her bubb... but the sky's the limit.G-compensating boots, stay-up socks and raincoat, log from blammo. Anything's possible.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eusMzC7Rx7M&feature=related

For many people, shopping is an end in itself. Nicole picked up all the upgraded gear she needs during that brief stop at L5-City (which was alluded to but not shown in the strip), which has all the best tech gear anyway. Now she's like a contemporary American or European or Japanese tourist in Mexico (before the narco-troubles) looking for trinkets and novelties.

Nichole is looking for a souvenir "I escaped the Evil Overlord and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." designVentura is looking for a lost mind she doesn't know is lost.*Buford is looking for a book of 101 ways to deal with a crazy friend that don't get you arrested.

Nichole is looking for a souvenir "I escaped the Evil Overlord and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." designVentura is looking for a lost mind she doesn't know is lost.*Buford is looking for a book of 101 ways to deal with a crazy friend that don't get you arrested.

*now she's found something she didn't know existed, free AIs.

No need to wait 566 years or goto Mars for this shopping trip.. ( Yes, I am bored and can't sleep again )

For Nicole... Certain she could create one in the color and style she wants here.. Zazzle

Ventura is tricky, just as you couldn't hope to cure amnesia with one shopping trip., I'm just torn between suggesting finding a helpful Master in Robotics Engineering or visit a Psychic Reading booth for comedy sake.

Burford would be pleased to find B&N has all the 101 way guides ... 101 Ways

The adventure genre staple would be to upgrade existing gear. She might get a chameleon suite for her anysuit, a storage size upgrade for her fanny pack, a faster-charging higher-capacity zringer, customizing for her bubb... but the sky's the limit.

(Anybody got the full set of lyrics to that filk? I think it includes "a hand-tatted plaid pterodactyl-down pillow" in the inventory.)

I remember hearing the song, remembering the title is my problem. My quick local and web search found "Laughter from the Loch" & "Ship of Stone" by Don Simpson. You might check the PDF's of lyrics at http://steve.savitzky.net/Songs/